As a society, we are unfair to women, but when it comes to single moms we are ruthless.
Our society expects its women to stay in an unhappy marriage rather than show the courage to move out and give her kids and herself a better chance at life.
But, if a woman shows the courage and determination to move out of an unhappy marriage, not only she but also her kids are subject to unfair judgments and discrimination. Society not only labels single moms as unsuccessful women but also as an incapable parent.
And, recently a 27-year-old woman, Sujata Mohite and her 7-year-old son became a victim of this ugly mentality of our society!
A shocking incident happened in Mumbai that angered many of us as a well-reputed school allegedly denied admission to a boy because he’s raised by a single mother.
According to a report by India Today, Sujata Mohite claimed that St Lawrence School in Navi Mumbai denied admission to her son since she is a single mother. She shared:
“I have heard about the school and it has a good reputation. A month ago, my son and I went for an interview for his admission. They told us that we both passed the interview and then asked me about the child’s father?
I told them that I am divorced and I am capable to look after my child. They later tell me that admissions are full. I was actually shocked after this”
Not satisfied with the response, Sujata requested a friend to check if the admissions were still on. When her friend asked authorities about admission, the authorities claimed that it was still on.
Shocked and disgusted, Sujata decided to take matters into her own hand and confront the principal of the school.
“I even decided to make a video of the whole conversation. When I met the principal, she was rude and told me that admissions are not given to children of single parents.
She refused to talk to me when I asked her how that was possible. She kept saying that it was her decision and that I was wasting her time. She said kids of single parents are a problem to the school”
And, when the video of the conversation between Sujata and the principal went viral, netizens expressed disgust, shame, and fury!
@narendramodi @DrRPNishank @Dev_Fadnavis @TawdeVinod This video is posted by a single mother sujata mohite on Tiktok in which she went for admission for her son in St.Lawrence HighSchool,Vashi.The lady official of the school denied admission just because she is a single parent. pic.twitter.com/BGgPV3mpBf
— KUNAL PATIL (@KUNALPA25129276) June 13, 2019
What a shame, I am been raised by single parent by my mother Thank god I never had to go through this at such extreme where admission is denied on the basis of Single Parent #notagoodschool #schoolneedgoodprincipal https://t.co/5YCrChih09
— abhishek (@filterkappi) June 15, 2019
What the hell!!! Why a child of single parent is being denied admission?? In which century is she living?? ‘Single parents ka bahut problem hota hai’ ????Is she asked to be the other parent? Do they have any such policy?? Shame on you St Lawrence https://t.co/jguA8BvUD7
— anu shukla, (@ashukla30) June 15, 2019
This is unfortunate & unacceptable !
Principal of St Lawrence high school in Vashi Navi Mumbai is denying to take admission for single parent students.
Look at her arrogance, Can single parent students be denied for schooling. How Sick ??@HRDMinistry @smritiirani@ShefVaidya pic.twitter.com/tnIXv995og— Piyush Singh (@PiyushSinghk) June 15, 2019
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson of the Ryan Group (to which the school belongs) issued a statement,
“As an educational institution, we do not discriminate in admitting students under any criteria nor do we have any such policy for parents. In the given case, as the video has just come to our attention, we are investigating the issue and will take appropriate action.”
An investigation regarding the matter is ongoing after which the Ryan Group would take necessary action against the Principal.
Motherhood is really tough and raising kids in a judgemental and patriarchal society like ours is the toughest. Single moms often become the victim of society’s cruel criticism and unfair judgments.
At I For Her, we celebrate the courage of every single mom, who is fighting against the social norms to give her kids and herself a life that they deserve!
Here is what we want to tell all the strong souls out there!
Dear Inspiring Single Moms,
Thanks for being the strongest woman we know. During dark times, when the world gave up on you thanks for not giving up on yourselves and your family. There are moments in our lives when we wish we had half the strength you have.
You are the most amazing person we know, and we feel so proud to learn about life from you.
Yours, I FOR HER
